Mediterranean Diet Can Preserve Memory and Thinking Skills

According to data from the Reasons for Geographic and Racial Differences in Stroke (REGARDS) study, implementing the Mediterranean diet may be linked to preserving memory and thinking abilities. The Mediterranean diet is composed of high intake of omega-3 fatty acids which can be found in fish, chicken and salad dressing. The diet also entails limiting saturated fats, meat, and dairy foods.

The study, conducted at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, enrolled 30,239 people ages 45 and older between January 2003 and October 2007, and is continuing to follow the patients for health changes. Subjects endured measured memory and thinking abilities tests over an average of four years. Seventeen percent of the participants had diabetes.

Results yielded that healthy subjects following the Mediterranean diet were 19 percent less likely to develop problems with their thinking and memory skills. There was no significant difference in declines between Caucasians and African-Americans.